Prosecutors alleged Stockley, who is white, executed Smith, a black man, after a car chase. They also said that Stockley planted a gun in Smith’s car. Stockley maintained that he saw Smith reach for the gun, feared for his life and shot Smith in self-defense. Smith was suspected of dealing drugs. In a recording inside the police car during the car chase, Stockley is heard saying he’s “going to kill that MF, don’t you know.”

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